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UNOFFICIAL GAME ACCESSORY by Agathokles

Table of Contents Chang Shi Hetuan: Benevolent Order of Chang Dangsu 15 Timeline ...... 2 Baxian Shendao: Mystic Way of the Eight Immortals .16 Taymoran Age ...... 2 Ganquian Huan: Circle of Heaven and Earth 16 Formation of the Ochalean Culture ...... 2 Jianghu Shenren: Independent/Wandering Priests . 17 The Thyatian Empire ...... 3 Non-human Faiths in Ochalea...... 17 Rise of Ochalea...... 3 Guilds and Secret Societies ...... 19 Modern Era ...... 3 Biaoshi Hui: Escort Master Council ...... 19 Politics ...... 4 Demon Cults ...... 20 The Archduke and the Empire ...... 4 Yingshu Dang: The Shadow Hand ...... 20 The Ochalean Mandarinate ...... 4 Shar-Pei Mercenaries ...... 20 Senatorial Representatives ...... 4 Feihau Dang: Society of the Blue Flower ...... 21 Geography ...... 5 Mandarins & Monks ...... 22 Population ...... 5 Ochalean Bestiary ...... 24 Provinces...... 5 Animals ...... 24 Ochalean Defense Forces ...... 10 Constructs...... 24 Army Roster ...... 10 Demons ...... 25 Wartime Army ...... 12 Dragons...... 25 Temples of Ochalea ...... 13 Faeries...... 25 Church of Thyatis ...... 13 Naga...... 25 Yingzi Dantang: Order of the Shadow Court 14 Shapechangers ...... 25 Fajia Shendao: Mystic Way of Order ...... 14 Spirits ...... 26 Yutan: Jade Temple of Ochalea ...... 14 Undead ...... 26

Credits DUNGEONS & DRAGONS and D&D are registered trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast, Design: Agathokles a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. This book does not Editing: Agathokles possess official recognition by Wizards of the Coast. Artworks: Wikipedia PD This work may not be sold commercial. It may be Cartography: Agathokles electronically replicated (“downloaded”) or printed Typography: aia (avatar of the Spam Overlord) in its entirety for personal use. Artwork is Public Domain used without any Version: 1.0 03/02/07 copyright infringement. Timeline Houndling and Shar-Pei (derived Wang unifies the Bei, Shou and from the Taymoran Hounds) slaves. Wang nations, and begin the This section reports the history of The Shar-Pei, Ochalean Crested and colonization of Sung. They also Ochalea as the Immortals know it. Foo Dogs lead a war against the obtain the submission of the Kiang Ogre Magi kingdom, with some aristocracy - the heirs of the Taymoran Age help from Pardasta clans. pioneers - but must concede a semi- 3000 BC - Formation of Ochalea By this time, the Lupins control independent status to that provin- The Great Rain of Fire causes the the Shun, Yuen and Ta’ang ce. Radical elements of Kiang start land around modern Ochalea to be provinces, while the rest of Ochalea moving towards Chun and Cao as a flooded, separating the island from is controlled by the Ogre Magi result of this interference. Brun. Pardasta tribes are blocked in kingdom. 300 BC - Alphatian Occupation Ochalea by the rising waters. Alphatian armies led by powerful 2200 BC - Taymoran Lupins Formation of the wizards land in Beitung, kill the The Taymoran Hairless and the Ochalean Culture Wang royal family and establish a Taymoran Hound Lupin breeds are 800 BC - Arrival of the Cypri “Protectorate”, milling the local created as the original Lupins fall A large number of common farmers to fill their own coffers and under the sway of the Necromancer Alphatians, born without the trait the imperial treasury. Kings of Taymor. They uses their of magic use, flee the southern The Shar-Pei and the Chow- powerful magics to instil useful Alphatian kingdoms (mainly Chow retreat to the badlands, where abilities in these Lupins - a special Arogansa and Greenspur) to escape they fight a guerrilla war, while the ability to recognise werewolves, and persecution and enslavement at the Houndling are mostly forced to a racial hatred of these creatures, as hands of magic-using Alphatians. submit to the invaders. The well as heightened strength and a They land in Ochalea (in the Ochalean Crested, who have larger body frame, making them modern Celestial Domains, which powerful mages among them, are more suited to act as soldiers and they named Bei at the time), hoping left alone, but secretly provide help guards. to build a new homeland, where to the rebels. 1500 BC - Lupins reach Ochalea they can live free from the wizards. During the following centuries, Several large clans of Taymoran They find the island in the midst the Lupin and human population Lupins, both Hound and Hairless, of a century-long war between mix heavily, so that by the end of flee west and south from the Lupins and Ogre-Magi, and side the millennium, Yuen and Shun are destruction of Taymor. After a long with the former, turning the balance not anymore recognizable as a journey, they land in the western in the near-humans’ favor. The Lupin territory, while Lupin become reaches of Ochalea. Ogre Magi kingdom is destroyed, common in Daisun, Chun, Kiang 1000 BC - Alphatian Landfall and only three clans survive, retiring and Cao. Old Alphatia is destroyed in the deep into the forests. Chi and Bohan also see the first war between followers of the Xwaves of colonization at this time. 700 BC - Colonization of Kiang philosophies of Fire and Air. The By this time, the Cypri have settled The province of Cao is also settled Followers of Air flee to Mystara, Wang and Shou. Independent Cypri up to the current extent during the settling on the continent they name pioneers from Wang push into the Alphatian occupation, as the Alphatia. They bring strains of Kiang province, claiming new lands. Alphatian governors hope to find lycanthropy - in particular, tiger Meanwhile, the Lupins expand gold there. lycanthropy, with them. into the Daisun province. 200 BC - Emergence of the Gu 900 BC - Dark Ages 500 BC - Rise of the Ochalean By this time, Alphatian overlords In Ochalea, the Foo Dogs Culture in Ochalea have been mostly interaction with the Ochalean By this time, the Ochalean cultu- replaced by mixed-breed Ochalean- Houndling (direct descendants of re, an original mix of Cypric, Alphatian governors. The Gu family the Taymoran Hairless), has resulted Rakastan and Lupin culture is born, acquire a dominance, so that, by the in the birth of the Ochalean under the supervision of the end of the century, the Gu leader is Crested, and the Ogre Magi have benevolent Foo Dogs. named King of Ochalea, as a breeded the Chow-Chow from The Wang Cypri family from subject nation to the Empire of

2 Alphatia. Emperor Alexian II names a second cousin of his wife, Fabia, as the new Modern Era The Thyatian Empire Archduke, strengthening Ochalea’s 985 AC - Construction of the new 1 AC - Foundation of the Empi- ties with the Kerdolion dynasty. harbor at Wumingdou re 563 AC - The Ochalean Usurper Emperor Thincol Torion orders The wizard Lucinius Building on the growing unrest of the construction of new military Trezantebium and the warrior the military, not pleased with the facilities at Wumingdou, in the pro- Zendrolion Tatriokanitas lead the rule of Emperor Lucius Nuar, an vince of Bohan, to support his Thyatians in a liberation war against Ochalean naval officer, Tien Dun plans for the colonization of the Alphatia. Pearl Islanders and Wei, declares himself Emperor and Four Kingdoms in northern Ochaleans ally with them, throwing leads a revolt, sailing with his fleet Davania. off the Alphatian yoke. After to the mainland. Tien Dun Wei’s 988 AC - Colonization of the obtaining independence, forces are defeated, and the usurper Hinterlands Zendrolion murders Lucinius and is captured and executed. Troops led by Governor-General the Ochalean and Nuari kings, 567 AC - The Ochalean Emperor Leila ben Nadir land in the Four proclaiming himself Emperor of Senator Wein Dein-Ling, a Kingdoms, and establish the Pro- Thyatis. He conquers Ochalea and Philosopher of Law, is elected vince of the Thyatian Hinterlands. the Pearl Islands. Emperor after the death of his Sea trading intensifies in the pro- The Gu dynasty dies out in the predecessor, Lucius Naur. He is the vince of Bohan. following years. first, and only, full-blooded 1000 AC - Present 20 AC - Valentia’s Proclamation Ochalean to raise to the Imperial This is the present in the Valentia the Justiciar, Zendrolion’s throne. Gazetteer era; it also marks the end widow, makes the Citizen’s Wein Dien-Ling enacts penal of the first millennium of life for Proclamation. Ochalea re-joins the reforms, instituting penal colonies the Empire. Empire as a Grand Duchy. The in the Ierendian Isles in 571. The philo-Thyatian Wai dynasty is prisoners, according to Emperor enstated. Wein’s philosophy, must be allowed a chance to reform by working hard and paying their debt to the society Rise of Ochalea - building new infrastructures, 380 AC - Creation of the Naval settlements, and ships in the Fortress at Beitung colonies. Tiberius II Kerdolion, after The Ochalean Emperor also repelling an Alphatian attack on the drives the rebuilding of the military Pearl Islands, orders the forces, elevating the Retebius Air construction of fortifications at Corps,X to the rank of Air Fleet, and Seagirt and Beitung. using the new penal colonies to Crown Prince Gabrionus is sent speed up the reconstruction of the to supervise the works. The vast Thyatian fleet. imperial funds allow Beitung to live 622 AC - Ochalean Philosophy a time of economic boom. divulged in the mainland Moreover, Gabrionus marries an Rang Tchou-Chan, a cleric of the Ochalean noblewoman of the Teng Jade Temple, writes “A Look into family, who becomes the first my Soul”, a summary of the main Empress of Ochalean descent in philosophical and religious works 386 AC. They have no male heirs, published in Thyatis, which includes so the husband of their daughter, a chapter on Ochalean religion. It Fabia, becomes the next Emperor. is the first such work to reach the 426 AC - Ascension of the Teng mainstream public of the Thyatian The Wai dynasty dies out. mainland.

3 Politics Agriculture, and Religious Affairs Senate, the primary legislative body also exist. The central of the empire. This sections briefly describes the administration has also dozens of There are eight Senators from political scenario of Ochalea, as well lesser bureaus and ministries, each Ochalea, including of course the as the Ochalean bureaucracy. controlling some specific aspect of Archduke himself, Abbot Teng Lee- the Ochalean legislation or of the Dai and High Priest Ling Tzu-Chen, The Archduke and the court life. These bureaucrats are high-ranking members of the Jade Empire recruited through a nationwide Temple who have been chosen by Ochalea is, and has been for the selection process, consisting of the Archduke to fill the seats that last millennium, one of the Grand many tests and examinations, are assigned to the Teng family and Duchies of the Empire of Thyatis. mostly thought to check the to the governor of Ochalea, as well The title of Archduke is the highest examinee’s knowledge of Ochalean as five elected representatives. rank of nobility in Thyatis, right history, law, literature and Aristocratic Senator Ran-Wen below the Emperor and the Crown philosophical currents. While the Zenobius and Duchess Triella Tien- Princes. selection process is usually quite fair, Tang are also of Ochalean origin. This allows Ochalea a great deal corruption does exist - though the Senators Teng, Ling, and Zenobius of independence in most Ochalean bureaucracy is still very belong to the Philosophers faction administrative matters, even though honest, compared with the imperial (headed by Archduke Teng), while the Grand Duchy does not have a one. Duchess Triella is a member of the foreign policy of its own, and must The provincial administration is Zendrolian faction. comply to the imperial regulations. not so hypertrophic - provincial The elected Senators represent That is why, regardless of the deeply governors are usually named by the the following regions, each ingrained Ochalean mistrust of ministry of State, though the including two to four provinces: demi-humans, wizards, and female governor of Yuen is by tradition North-East: Sung and the Celestial adventurers, all three types can be always chosen to be the heir of the Domain (127.000), currently a found, though in small numbers, in previous governor, and the senator of the Philosophers; the island: while they can dislike governor of Kiang lasts little North-West: Yuen and Ta’ang these people, the Ochalean officials without the support of the Society (140.000), currently a senator of the are bound by law and cannot of the Blue Flower. Each provincial Philosophers; prevent them from entering their governor has an administrative staff, South-West: Bohan, Chi, Shun territory. Moreover, they cannot but few bureaucrats volunteer for (136.000), currently a senator of the prevent women (including those of assignment in a provincial Gens Aurelia; Ochalean origin) from joining the administration. The result is that South-East: Cao, Chung, Daisun army or choosing another career provincial bureaucrats are those and the Celestial Territories that is considered unacceptable in who have passed the tests with the (114.000), currently a senator of the the traditional Ochalean society. lowestX marks, or as a result of Free Thinkers; bribing the examiners. Some Central: Kiang, Wang and Shou The Ochalean provincial governors supplement (127.000), currently a senator of the Mandarinate their staff with private assistants, Gens Aemilia. The Ochalean bureaucracy is others simply try to work with the divided into a central administration material they have. Therefore, the and a series of provincial provincial administration cannot be government bodies. expected to be as efficient or honest The central bureaucracy is as the central mandarinate. organized into several ministries: much like other Thyatian Grand Senatorial Duchies, Ochalea has ministries of Representatives State, of Trade, of Finances, of the Since Ochalea is part of the Army. In addition to these, Thyatian empire, it sends its ministries of Justice, History, representatives to the Imperial

4 Geography Ochalea. Demihumans and foreign ward of Beitung. goblinoids are not native of this Four native Lupin breeds are Ochalea is a large island, located land, while a small Rakasta found in Ochalea: the larger High south of the Known World and population survives - most Shar-Pei and Ogrish Chow-Chow, west of the Pearl Islands. While its Ochalean Rakasta left the island and the smaller Ochalean Crested coastal areas are mostly plains, centuries ago. Table 1 shows the and Ochalean Houndling. Shar-Pei allowing a considerable agricultural racial breakdown of the Ochalean and Chow-Chow clans originated in development, the interior is mostly population - with the exclusion of the wilder areas, though Shar-Pei are composed of rocky badlands, short most intelligent monsters, which are sought after as mercenaries - they mountain chains, and deep forests not taken into account here. are well known for their skill with and jungles. Most of the Ochalean Humans are mostly of common polearms, and can be found population lives either in the coastal Alphatian stock, copper skinned everywhere, from Beitung to the plains or along the Chungkiang, a and brown haired, with slanted eyes most isolated fortress. Most Chow- wide, slow-flowing river that cuts and high cheekbones. A minority of Chow Lupins are hunters or the islands in twain. Thyatians is also present, mostly herders. Ochalean Crested are the working the administration and the Lupin aristocracy - most of them Population military. Few non-Thyatians live in live in Beitung or in the provincial Overall, circa 680.000 people, Ochalea, though a small mercantile capitols, and work in the imperial mostly humans and Lupins, live in community can be found in the bureaucracy or have businness or land-owning interests. Ochalean Table 1: Population Breakdown by Ethnic Groups Houndling and mongrels mostly Human 75% 510.000 belong to the commoner classes. Ochalean 500.000 Many Lupins of Thyatian origin are also found in Ochalea, more or less Thyatian 9.000 Thyatian, Kerendan, Hattian in the same range of occupations Nuari, Alphatian, Hinterlander, of their human counterparts. Other 1.000 Alasiyan, Minrothaddan, Ierendian, The only Rakasta breed present Darokinian, Milenian in Ochalea is the Pardasta - proud, Lupin 20% 135.000 aloof hunters and rangers who Shar-Pei 20.000 rarely leave the rocky badlands, and Chow-Chow 30.000 seldom interact with either humans Houndling 25.000 or Lupins. Due to the great interest shown Crested 15.000 by Ochaleans in religious matters Mongrels 36.000 and in the Immortals, outer and Das HXund, Doggerman, Pitbull, inner planar creatures visit this land Thyatians 7.000 Mastiff more than usual. A small population Other 2.000 Shag-head, Nithian Rambler, etc. of so-called “spirit folk” is therefore Rakasta 3% 20.000 Pardasta found in Ochalea. These represent only small, rural communities where "Spirit Folk'' 2% 14.000 the extraplanar blood is common Aasimar 2.500 enough to maintain itself through Tiefling 750 the generation - in larger towns, Water Genasi 2.500 such bloodlines tend to dilute Earth Genasi 2.000 quickly. Air Genasi 1.500 Provinces Fire Genasi 750 Werecreatures 4.000 Weretiger, Werefox, Wererat This section describes the fourteen provinces of Ochalea. Demihumans 1.000 Thyatian elves and dwarves

5 Bohan Cao is also home to several member of Bohan begun as a remote, lightly The Cao province bases its wealth the Circle of Heaven and Earth, populated agricultural province. on a combination of riverside though that cult is not especially However, the presence of a large agriculture and mining activity. The popular. river, the Wuxingjiang, allowed Great Dragon Spires are dotted good irrigation and the with small but numerous iron and Celestial Domain development of large rice farms. copper mines - usually a village or The Celestial Domain is Around AC 985, the preliminary enlarged family will work one mine composed of the city of Beitung operations of the Thyatian on its own. Smelted ore is sent to and the surronding countryside. It colonization effort in the the metal market in Wongzhao was originally known as the Bei pro- Hinterlands in Davania led Tsushao, where merchants from the vince, but the name was changed Wumingdou, the provincial capitol, central provinces of Chung, Kiang when the Bei kingdom was united to be chosen as a major waypoint and Yuen gather to buy it. Several to the Wang kingdom as the Wang in the Thyatis-Hinterlands route. mining villages are home to Earth heir married the last of the Bei The Empire funded major upgrades Genasi (a.k.a. mountain spirit folk), queens. The Wang moved their of the town harbor, and built who are only found here and in the capitol to Beitung, and gave the pro- weapon and ship maintainance Celestial Territories. vince the current name. facilities, depots, and barracks, Unfortunately, Cao has very The economy of the province boosting an otherwise minor town unsafe border regions, including the revolves entirely around the court, to the rank of fifth larger center in undead-infested Marsh of the Dead the naval fortress and the related Ochalea. Men (also home to the dangerous personnel and services: the upper This sudden influx of funds purple worms), the bandit-ridden tiers of the society are composed brought also a wave of immigration Forest of the Green Men, and the by wealthy court officers, from neighbouring provinces as mysterious Weilunglin, the Forest merchants, and noblemen related to well as from the mainland, as well of Little Dragons. Therefore, the current ruling dynasty, while the as the development of fishing exporting the ore to Kiang or lower tiers provide servants, guards, activities and a more agressive use Chung requires heavy escorts with soldiers, lower-ranking bureaucrats of the farming land. Right now, specialized skills. These services are and clerks. The countryside is Bohan is one of the more provided - at a significan price - by devoted to intensive agricultural cosmopolitan provinces, and a the Escort Masters (biaoshi) and exploitation, in order to support the rising economic power - which is their organizations. Professional large urban population. Food is also why it is also known as the tiger caravan guard services include imported from other provinces, and province. expert guards, scouts, animal merchants and traders make up a This province has a larger amount handlers, guides and negotiators. large part of the middle class. of settled land than most. The only The escort organizations maintain This territory is also one of the true wilderness here is the Wa’ang a Xcorporative monopoly of their best defended, with several units forest, which marks Bohan border professional field, basically forcing present in the city itself. Cohorts of with the Chi province. the merchant to use their services the XXV Imperial Legion also Wumingdou is also the province by “discouraging” individual patrol the countryside. where the first temple of Chang guards-for-hire. Only veteran guides Dangsu was build, and this cult and are allowed to found new Celestial Territories the Church of Thyatis are especially organizations, and permissions are The most wild areas of the Grand popular here. The Imperial only issued by the biaoshi council. Duchy of Ochalea are collected in influence is so strong that the Wongzhao Tsushao houses a large province, known as the elected senator for the region of several temples, but the Mystic Way Celestial Territories. Largely Bohan, Chi and Shun is a of Order is especially popular here, composed of rocky badlands, Wumingdou-based merchant as several monasteries, including the mountains, and the impenetrable aligned with the Church of Thyatis, Zhonghu Siyuan, are located in the Jungle of the Tiger Men, the and a close friend of General ben mountains at the border with the Celestial Territories are only Nadir. Celestial Territories. This province populated by a number of

6 Weretigers, Pardasta, and a small Chung itself by a combination of human population in the village of This central province is mostly agriculture and fishing. Waping Piao and the surrounding composed of wilderness. Its human The only major product of this countryside. The Demon Cults also and Lupin population, with the region are trained birds, especially maintain a significant presence in exception of some small Chow- falcons and eagles, which are the Jungle of the Tiger Men and in Chow hunting clans, concentrates common in the wild lands. The the neighbouring areas. along the coastal trade route and in locals have developed excellent trai- Other humans in the region are the plains around the capitol, Wu ning skills, and practice the art of mostly hermits, or small coastal Li. Wu Li is one of the smallest hunting with hawks. Many communities. Some of these are provincial capitols, really more a falconeers have a bit of “wind fully inhabited by Genasi, Aasimar village than a town. spirit” blood, and Air Genasi or Tieflings. Most, if not all, “Fire The economy of Chung is mostly villages are mostly found within this Spirit Folk” (Fire Genasi) and dependent on subsistence province. “Half-Demons” (Tieflings) live in agriculture and a little trade, though The Bear Woods (Xionglin) are this province. the profits of the trade taxes mostly avoided by the locals, due to the The Ogre Magi Ox clan maintains go to line the pockets of a greedy presence of aggressive cave bears its last strongholds in the forested and over-ambitious provincial and owlbears that lair in the hills in the southern part of the governor. neighbouring hills. The Forest of Celestial Territories. Ox clan Ogres Bandits are very common, and Fear (Weishulin), at the boundary are not the brightest of their kin, very aggressive, in this lightly with the Celestial Territories, owns but they are fiercer and more protected province. A Jade Dragon its name to the evil spirits that dwell numerous, making the southern is also reputed to lair in the Forest in its depths. The vilest Ogre Magi hills as dangerous as the Jungle of of Little Dragons, while the large of the Kingfisher clan are also the Tiger Men. Ogre-Mage clan of the Kingfisher found there. dwells near the borders with the Chi Sung and Daisun provinces. Finally, Kiang The Grasslands of Chi dominate the Forest of Spirits is home to the One of the major provinces, the landscape of this province. only Faerie Kingdom in Ochalea - Kiang is densely populated, Most of the population is sprites, mandrakes, elemental drakes especially along the banks of the composed of semi-nomadic and brownies are all found here, Chungkiang and along the coast. herders and hunters, and a large together with a number of other The border region are more sparsely proportion of the population is friendly woodland beings, such as populated, with many small made up by Lupins, descendents of Hsiao and Dryads. Pardasta clans living in the Forest those who fled from Shun during Culturally, Chung is not very of Li. Water Genasi (River Spirit the first years of the Ogre Magi developed - it mostly copies trends Folk) are particularly common in wars. Chi is not rich, and only andX ideas from the neighbouring this province. sparsely populated. Its wildernesses, provinces. However, it is home to This province originated as a place however, are not home to many some monasteries of the Mystic where independent-minded Cypri monsters, though human and Lupin Way of Order, and to a Jade Temple. pioneers settled, driving away the bandits are more common than in Wu Li is the only provincial capitol native Ogre Magi, and keeping far other regions, due to the proximity to have only a small shrine from the power of the rising of the rich Bohan province. maintained by the Church of Ochalean kingdom during the Wang The Warmasters of the Five Thyatis - all others have full featured dynasty. These pioneers evolved Directions are so popular here that temples with at least a dozen priests. into a strong aristocracy of wealthy even many humans revere them. landowners, and Kiang remained a The cult of Chang Dangsu and the Daisun semi-independent vassal of the Jade Temple are the other major For the most part, Daisun is a Wang kings until the Alphatian religions in Chi, which is also home dangerous wilderness. Its Empire took control of Ochalea. to many wandering priests. population concentrates in the The Fields of Yi still are the coastal plains, where it supports stronghold of Ochalean aristocracy,

7 and the town of Chungkiang Li is of Shou, though they are usually is located in the provincial capitol, politically aligned with the Thyatian content with the abduction of and it is known for a massive, white pro-senatorial faction, the Gens livestock or the occasional human jade statue of the god which is Aemilia. straggler. believe to protect from all disease. As one of the key provinces, Thanks to the large priesthood of Kiang enjoys a greater degree of Sung the Benevolent Order, indeed, the protection, and the native Kiang Colonized by Houndlings from citizen of Chung Tsu enjoy good regiment is supported by two Ta’ang and Cypri from Bei and health, and some of the oldest men cohorts of the XXV Legion and Wang, Sung was never very and Lupins in Ochalea live in the three centuries of Lupins. The important, until rich gold mines town. Lupin guards are in charge of where discovered in the Hills of the The Blue Woods, west of the protecting the road to Beitung from Sun, prompting the Alphatian Dragon Spire Mountains, are their base in the village of Wu Li, occupation. Gold mining is still the known to the priests of Chang keeping the dangers of the forest richest industry of the region, Dangsu for the medicinal and of Li (marauding Ogre Magi and though hunting and farming are alchemical value of its trees. Pardasta bandits, mostly) at bay. important to guarantee the survival However, it is guarded by powerful Rice growing and fishing are the of the population. tree spirits, who do not appreciate staple of Kiang economy, but the A large number of hermit refuges intruders - especially those who large aristocracy supports also a and small monasteries of the Mystic carry axes! significant craftsmen class, and Way of the Eight Immortals is some jade mines are also found in located in the hills and mountains Ta’ang this region. The artisans of Kiang of this region. The Mystic Way of Ta’ang was the landing point of are reputed to produce more the Eight Immortals is the most the first Taymoran Lupins to reach durable goods than those of popular religion here, but the people Ochalea, and still is one of the Beitung, but the latter are better of Sung stress more the passive provinces with a higher percentage regarded (and better paid) for the aspects of the faith than the focus of Lupins, especially Shar-Pei and artistic value of their goods. on personal achievements. A Houndlings. content, modest folk, even the The Immortal Spire is the sacred Shou humans of Sung seem to have location where the Archdukes of A small but historically important absorbed the stereotypical the Wai dynasty were traditionally province, Shou was one of the first deferential attitude of the Ochalean buried before reforms enacted in Cypri nations in Ochalea. The Shou Houndlings. 430 AC by the first Teng Archduke princes where defeated early on by moved the tombs near Beitung. the kings of Wang, who absorbed Shun The Tang hills in the northern the province into their kingdom. It A minerary region well known for part of the province are dotted by is currently much reduced in status itsX high-quality jade, Shun was one hermit refuges and small and power, as it has few natural of the first regions settled by the monasteries of the Mystic Way of resources - most of the population Lupins. It was, however, heavily the Eight Immortals, which is the survives by combining fishing and raided by the Ogre Magi of the most popular religion in this area. subsistence agriculture. neighbouring Chung and Kiang Less concerned with order and The population of Shou is mostly provinces for slaves, and in modern more with balance and harmony, the humans, with a few “Sea Spirit times the Lupin population is only people of Ta’ang are independent- Folk” (Water Genasi) villages and a average, though Chow-Chow are minded and focused on personal limited Lupin population in the slightly more common here than in growth. Scholarly and martial trai- capitol town, Wangzhao Ha. This other regions. ning are common among the upper region is not very dangerous, and is Shun is the center of the cult of classes, and even the members of generally considered quite dull by Chang Dangsu, who is believed to the lower classes invest whatever foreigners - and the locals like it this have resided in Chung Tsu some spare time they have in these way. Some evil shapechangers do, time before the Alphatian pursuits. however, infest the upper reaches occupation. A large temple-hospital The Forest of the Ancients is

8 another refuge for hermits and gained their name for the enormous By the time of the Alphatian monks. Some people believe that number of casualties that the occupation, the humans where the elixirs of long life can be brewed Ochaleans suffered before pushing larger part of the Yuen population, from herbs found in this forest, and the Alphatians back to Beitung. but the Ochalean Crested, being that, in general, the forest itself Spirits of the dead warriors and powerful magic users, where able to invigorates those who live under its wizards still haunt the plains, which obtain Alphatian citizenship, and canopies and lessens the effects of is another reason why Ochaleans protected their kingdom - reduced old age. The Forest of the Ancients never tried to develop this region, to a simple administrative province is certainly home to many nature preferring to leave the dead to their - from the worst of the Alphatian spirits, who closely protect its own mourning. abuses. However, the merchants secrets. resented the higher tax levels, and Yuen prompted Yuen to side with Wang One of the economic powers of Lucinius Trezantebium when the Wang is a poor, sparsely populated Ochalea since the very beginning, Thyatian envoys reached Wongzhao province. Its meager economy is Yuen was the siege of the first Tsu Yi. The Yuen Ochalean Crested mostly based on cattle raising. Ochalean Crested kingdom. During still maintain their role as provincial Livestock is exported to Beitung to the late Yuen kingdom, silk governors to this time, though their feed the Legions and the court. production was introduced by Cypri magic users tend to keep to Historically, Wang is important settlers, who became more and themselves, and let the priests and because the first dynasty of Cypri more important as the war with the warriors rule. kings (the Wang dynasty) arose here. Ogre Magi kingdom in Sung and Silk production is the strong suit However, most of the province’s Kiang escalated. An alliance of of the Yuen economy. Yuen silk is strength was sapped during the Yuen, Bei, Wang and the Pardasta exported not only to Beitung, but Thyatian-Alphatian war, when clans of the forest of Li finally to Thyatis city and to Thothia as Ochalean freedom fighters joined shattered the Ogre Magi resistance, well. Minrothaddan merchants can battle against well equipped and and in modern times only the Frog also be found in Wongzhao Tsu Yi magically armed Alphatian troops clan survives in the darker reaches on a regular basis. in the Plains of the Dead - which of the woods.

Table 2: Provinces of Ochalea Plrovinces Tlota Rlura C.apito Psop V.illage Pop Bohan 45.000 37.000 Wumingdou 8.000 Cao 42.000 36.000 Wongzhao Tsushao 6.000 Celestial Domain 92.000 X42.000 Beitung 50.000 Celestial Territories 14.000 13.500 Waping Piao 500 Chi 34.000 32.800 Chi 1.200 Chung 34.000 33.200 Wu Li 800 Daisun 38.000 37.000 Chihue Phong 1.000 Kiang 92.500 83.000 Chungkiang Li 9.000 Ying Li 500 Shou 21.000 20.000 Wangzhao Ha 1.000 Shun 57.000 50.500 Chung Tsu 6.000 Kai Tsu 500 Sung 58.000 48.000 Wutang Dongha 10.000 Ta'ang 49.500 42.000 Yingtang Tangyiha 7.000 Haiho Piao 500 Wang 14.000 13.000 Kaikiang Li 1.000 Yuen 89.000 80.000 Wongzhao Tsuyi 8.500 Wu Li 500 TOTAL 680.000 568.000 110.000 2.000

9 Ochalean train local warriors to fill the ranks and, with the addition of lupin Defense Forces in wartime. In addition to the land archers, scouts, and wizards army, the Empire has also stationed composes a powerful combat force, The army of Ochalea is a a defense fleet, composed of three the Lupin Home Guard. The Lupin defensive force, mostly maintained battle squadrons, one scouting Home Guard is deployed in units by the Thyatian Imperial squadron, and six transport called “duibai” (centuries) to help government using Ochalean funds. squadrons. keep the peace in the major towns, The core of the army is composed The native forces, on the other especially those with a large lupin by a standard Imperial Legion, hand, are built around a core of population. The Duke’s Guard is maintained at half strength. This Shar-Pei halberdiers and human the core of the native humans legion is supposed to recruit and cavalrymen. The first group is larger troops, which are also deployed as police force in the major towns. Table 3: Allocation of Military Forces to the Ochalean Provinces Local governors, especially in Pnrovince Pyopulatio Mdilitar Units statione dangerous areas, sometimes keep Bohan 45.000 1.000 XXV Legio, Cohortes VII-VIII 400 provincial armies, or, more often, rely on mercenary Shar-Pei Lupins, Fleet: Battle Group 3, Transport 600 Group 5 personal retainers, or monks to Chi 34.000 300 Lupin Home Guard 300 support the army. Daisun 38.000 300 Daisun Regiment 300 Overall, the Ochalean armed forces amount to circa 1.5% of the Shun 57.000 500 Shun Regiment 300 population. Lupin Home Guard 200 Chung 34.000 300 Chung Regiment 300 Army Roster Cao 42.000 500 Cao Regiment 300 Lupin Home Guard 200 Unit 1 - Ochalean Defense Fleet Personnel: 1000 Marines, plus Celestial 14.000 100 Lupin Home Guard 100 Territories 1600 Sailors and Rowers; most of Kiang 92.500 1.000 Kiang Regiment 300 them are Thyatian humans. The fleet is deployed in three battle XXV Legio, Cohortes IX-X 400 groups (each led by a war galley or Lupin Home Guard 300 large galley, with two small galleys Yuen 89.000 1.000 XXV Legio, Cohortes V-VI 400 as support force), plus a scouting Fleet: Battle Group 2, Transport 600 group of four small galleys, and six Group 4 transport groups (each composed Ta'ang 49.500 800 Ta'ang Regiment 300 by a single troop transport or one Lupin Home Guard 200 large and two small ships). Fleet: TXrasport Group 1-3 300 Overall, the Ochalean Fleet can Sung 58.000 700 Lupin Home Guard 400 field the following units: Sung Regiment 300 Wang 14.000 200 Lupin Home Guard 100 Ship class ...... # Units Wang & Shou Regiment 100 Small Galleys...... 10 Shou 21.000 300 Lupin Home Guard 100 Large Galleys ...... 2 Wang & Shou Regiment 200 War Galleys ...... 1 Celestial Sailing Ships ...... 8 92.000 3.000 Duke's Guard 400 Domain Large Ships...... 4 Beitung Garrison 400 Troop Transports ...... 2 XXV Legio, Cohortes I-IV 800 Lupin Home Guard 300 Marines, sailors and rowers in the Fleet: Battle Group 1, Scouting fleet are armed and equipped 1.100 Group, Transport Group 6 according to the Imperial standards. TOTAL 680.000 10.000 10.000 These ships are only part of the

10 fleet usually stationed at Beitung wartime, local warriors are recruited and are equipped more or less in the and other Ochalean ports. Larger to fill the ranks of the legionnaries, Thyatian style (though Ochalean imperial fleets also help in patrolling as well as to increase size of the broadswords are more commonly the seas around Ochalea, especially cavalry and archer units. At full issued than Thyatian gladii). The the Strait of Furmenglaive. strength, this legion would include light infantry, on the other hand, is 3.000 infantrymen, plus 500 cavalry equipped in the Ochalean style, with Unit 2 - Lupin Home Guard and 500 archers. leather lamellar armor, broadswords (Quanren Weibing) and spears (quiang). Personnel: 2200 Ochalean Lupins, Unit 4 - Duke’s Guard (Dawang mostly infantry and archers. The Weibing) Unit 6-13 - Ochalean Regiments Lupin Home Guard can field the Personnel: 400 Ochalean humans. (Difangbing) following troops: The Duke’s Guard can field the Personnel 2400 (300x8) Ochalean following troops: humans. Each Ochalean Regiment Shar-Pei Halberdiers ...... 1.200 can field the following troops: Chow-Chow Hunters ...... 600 Medium Cavalry ...... 300 Houndling Archers ...... 200 Priests ...... 60 Light Infantry ...... 175 Crested and Houndling Wizards50 Auxiliaries ...... 40 Shortbowmen ...... 75 Auxiliaries ...... 150 Artillerists ...... 20 The house guard of the Archduke Lupin armed forces keep to their of Ochalea is a unit of medium Auxiliaries ...... 30 traditional weaponry - lamellar cavalry, supported by a number of These are the most common na- armor (metal for the halberdiers, priests. These élite guardsmen wear tive Ochalean units, mostly leather for archers and scouts), metal lamellar armor and carry deployed in the provinces to help complemented by broadswords shields, broadswords and long the local governors. They are (dao), plus composite short bows spears (shuo). composed almost exclusively of or crossbows for archers and Ochalean natives, and are armed hunters, and broad-bladed halberds Unit 5 - Beitung Garrison with with leather lamellar armor, (pudao) for the Shar-Pei. (Beitung Jingwei) broadswords and spears or short Personnel: 400 Ochalean and bows. Small artillery teams are Unit 3 - XXV Imperial Legion Thyatian humans. The Beitung available to man the defenses of the Personnel (half-strength): 2000 Garrison can field the following provincial capitols. Thyatian humans and Lupins. The troops: Wartime Army XXV Imperial Legion can field the In wartime, the Archduke tries to following troops: Artillerists ...... 160 keep his commitment minimal - he Shortbowmen ...... 50 does not agree with the Emperor’s Legionnaries, Heavy Infantry1.000 WizardsX and Priests...... 40 agressive politics. However, Ochalea Legionnaries, Light Infantry ...500 Light Infantry ...... 100 must usually respond to the Equites, Medium Cavalry ...... 150 Auxiliaries ...... 50 Imperial requests, and must also Sagittarii ...... 100 replace Thyatian troops that are Artillerists ...... 80 The Beitung Garrison is a mix of withdrawn from the island when Wizards and Priests...... 50 militarized police force and garrison required elsewhere as a response to Auxiliaries ...... 120 unit. Its main task is to man the emergencies. catapults and ballistae in the naval In those cases, the Archduke can This unit is equipped according fortress and city walls of Beitung, quickly levy some militia from the to the Imperial standards - it is but it also helps keep the peace in provincial capitols and the basically a Thyatian legion funded the city itself - in this duty, it is also surrounding countryside, as well as by the Ochalean Archduke. helped by the Duke’s Guard and by contract the Shar-Pei mercenary The XXV Legion is kept at half three Lupin centuries. clans, effectively doubling the size strength in peacetime - it is actually The artillerists, archers and wizards of the army (i.e., 1.5% of the just the core of a full legion. In in this units are mostly Thyatians, population is levied). Militia units

11 are armed with spears, bows, shields keep his commitment minimal - he clans, effectively doubling the size and light armor (padded, leather or does not agree with the Emperor’s of the army (i.e., 1.5% of the leather lamellar), while Shar-Pei agressive politics. However, Ochalea population is levied). Militia units mercenaries are armed as the Shar- must usually respond to the are armed with spears, bows, shields Pei Halberdiers of the Lupin Home Imperial requests, and must also and light armor (padded, leather or Guard. replace Thyatian troops that are leather lamellar), while Shar-Pei If Ochalea was attacked, the withdrawn from the island when mercenaries are armed as the Shar- Fighting Monks and temple required elsewhere as a response to Pei Halberdiers of the Lupin Home Defenders of the four major orders emergencies. Guard. would be called upon for defense, In those cases, the Archduke can If Ochalea was attacked, the adding 10.000 more skilled fighters. quickly levy some militia from the Fighting Monks and temple provincial capitols and the Defenders of the four major orders Wartime Army surrounding countryside, as well as would be called upon for defense, In wartime, the Archduke tries to contract the Shar-Pei mercenary adding 10.000 more skilled fighters. X

12 Temples of Church of Thyatis Tarastia, Diulanna, Korotiku, Ochalea Total membership ...... 2.350 Valerias and Protius are the most Pantheists ...... 1.000 popular after Koryis. Even though most Ochaleans Philosophers of Law ...... 350 revere a large number of Immortals, Philosophers of Neutrality ..... 50 Diffusion and consider their patron Koryis as Priests of Koryis ...... 200 The follower of the Church of the most worthy of worship among Other Specialists ...... 750 Thyatis are mostly found among the them, that is not to say that there Thyatian humans and lupins - few are no differences in philosophical The Church of Thyatis was Ochaleans are interested in this outlook between different sects - imported from the mainland when religion. Therefore, the Church’s actually, several major temples and Ochalea joined the Empire circa strongholds are the provicial capitals many independent priests co-exist one millennium ago. It is a mostly and Beitung itself. in this land. tolerant, polytheistic faith, which Major Temples also includes some philosophers. The cathedral of Ochalea is The faith leans towards lawfulness, located in the Thyatian sector of Table 4: Summary of Ochalean though it worships Chaotic Beitung. Other temples are found Priests by Class Immortals as well, and freedom in each of the provincial capital. A Philosophers 8% 2.800 (especially from Alphatian rule) is temple dedicated to Vanya, the Law 5% 1.500 an important element of the faith. primary Thyatian Immortal, is also Neutrality 3% 1.050 located in Beitung. Chaos 1% 350 Core Immortals The Church of Thyatis worships Activities Fighting Monks 25% 8.750 all the Immortals that have been Priests of the Church of Thyatis Shamans 20% 7.000 formally acknowledged in the are commonly found in the Imperial Specialist Priests 30% 10.500 Thyatian Mainland. In Ochalea, military - especially in the fleet - as Koryis 18% 6.300 however, the role of Koryis is much military chaplains, as well as in the Imperial administration. Chardastes 3% 1.050 larger than in the mainland, while the traditional Thyatian Immortals Entropics 3% 1.050 are less popular. Halav, Odin, Thor Classes and Alignments Druids 1% 350 and the demihuman patrons are Specialty Priests of any Immortal Pantheists 15% 3.850 worshipped only by the Thyatian formally accepted in the Thyatian Total 100% 35.000 humans and demihumans. Vanya, Pantheon, Philosophers and

Table 5: Summary of Ochalean Temples and Faiths Fsaith XPsriest Anlignment Diffusio Beitung, Bohan, all provincial Church of Thyatis 2.350 Any non-evil capitols Order of the Shadow Court 2.000 Any non-good Jungle of the Tiger Men, all towns Celestial Territories, Chung, Kiang, Mystic Way of Order 3.500 LN Cao provinces Jade Temple of Ochalea 11.700 LG, NG, LN Beitung, common everywhere Benevolent Order of Chang Shun, Chi, Bohan and Daisun 3.300 NG, LG, CG Dangsu provinces Mystic Way of the Eight TN, NG, CN, Sung, Ta'ang, Yuen and Celestial 4.500 Immortals LN, NE Domains Circle of Heaven and Earth 550 TN, LN, CN Forested areas and mountains Independent and Wandering 6.700 Any Common everywhere Priests

13 Pantheists are all accepted. Chaotic A Shadow Court temple is present pantheists of this cult. Philosophers and Evil priests are in every major city. There is word not present in the Ochalean branch of a great complex somewhere in Diffusion of this faith, though they sometimes the jungles of southern Ochalea This philosophic order is appear in the mainland branch. where the Demon Cult trains its somewhat popular in the towns and adepts in odd martial and magical with the rural aristocracy. However, Yingzi Dantang: Order traditions, handed down by the most monasteries are built in of the Shadow Court ancient Alphatian Followers of Fire secluded locations. The south- Total Membership ...... 2.000 and even darker sects. eastern hills are home to several of Priests of Nyx ...... 400 these monasteries. Priests of Thanatos ...... 100 Activities Priests of Masauwu ...... 200 Some members of the Shadow Major Temples Priests of Alphaks ...... 200 Court priesthood double as spies, The Mystic Way maintains a Priests of Jammudaru ...... 100 assassins or thieves, though others presence in Beitung, Chungkiang Li Philosophers of Chaos ...... 50 act as legitimate merchants or even and Wongzhao Tsushao. The siege Pantheists ...... 950 work for the government or the of the Grand Abbot is in the main military. monastery, the Zhonghu Siyuan. The Shadow Court mirrors the Heavenly Court in the Ochalean Classes and Alignments Activities pantheon. It is composed by Specialty Priests of any Entropic These priests lead a cloistered life. Immortals associated with Entropy, Immortal, Chaotic Philosophers They take many restrictive vows, though they are much more subtle and Pantheists are all accepted. Only preventing them from marrying, in their activities here than in most non-Good priests would join this eating meat or drinking alcoholics, other nations. However, the Order cult. as well as engaging in any of the of the Shadow Court is definitely Four Vices. The monks of each malignant, even though it presents Fajia Shendao: monastery are divided into martial, a more or less neutral facade in the Mystic Way of Order scholarly and religious branches, towns. Its wilderness branches, the Total membership ...... 3.500 depending on their favored training. Demon Cults, are often more Fighting Monks ...... 2.000 overtly evil. Philosophers of Law ...... 1.000 Classes and Alignments Pantheists ...... 500 Fighting Monks, Philosophers of Core Immortals Law and Pantheists are accepted, Nyx is the pantheon leader for this The Mystic Way of Order is a each by the corresponding branch cult; Thanatos, Masauwu, Alphaks faith derived from almost two of the faith. Only those strongly and Jammudaru are her main millennia of philosophical tradition dedicated to the concept of Order, Xand not burdened with wordly ministers; a plethora of other on the theme of Order as the main Immortals serve in minor roles. element of civilization, tolerance, concerns are considered for and personal progress towards a sta- membership, so only priests of Diffusion te of enlightenment. This faith deals Lawful Neutral alignment are The Shadow Court is followed only marginally with Immortals, acceptable. mostly by the city underworld - but considering some of them as also, less overtly, by many citizen, enlightened beings returned from a Yutan: Jade Temple often rich or powerful, who try to state of union with the Supreme of Ochalea keep the evil Immortals at bay by Order to teach mortals. Total membership ...... 11.700 paying some respect to them. Also, Priests of Koryis ...... 6.000 more aggressive branches - the so- Core Immortals Pantheists ...... 600 called Demon Cults - are found in This faith is mostly philosophic. Philosophers of Law ...... 550 the wilderness. All lawful Immortals are Fighting Monks ...... 2.650 acknowledged, and Tarastia and Shamans ...... 1.000 Major Temples Koryis are worshipped by the few Other Specialists ...... 900

14 The Jade Temple is the main Major Temples responsibility than order or law. religion of Ochalea, headed by the Jade Monasteries are common, Archduke himself - by tradition, the and exist both in or near town and Core Immortals Archdukes are always priests of in more secluded locations (tough Chardastes is the main Immortal Koryis, and very often they become the first are more common). The of this cult. Just like most other high priests. Paramount of Major temple is within the cults of Ochalea, this does not Ochalean religions, the Jade Temple Archduke’s palace in Beitung, since mean that the members of the is a cult of a single Immortal that the Archduke of Ochalea is also the Benevolent Order do not manages to include all known leader of the church. acknowledge the other members of Immortals in its folds as well, the Celestial Bureaucracy - they just though in lesser roles. Activities follow the teachings of Chang Many of the non-cloistered Dangsu as a way to fulfill their role Core Immortals members of this cult work as within the order set by the Jade Koryis is by far the most mandarins (government officers). Emperor and his ministers. respected Immortal in this cult. Other are noble rulers of provinces However, even Koryis specialist and counties, or local bureaucrats. Diffusion priests acknowledge the existance This cult originated in the western and worthiness of all the Immortals Classes and Alignments provinces of Ochalea, and it still is known in Ochalea, including those Specialty Priests of any Immortal most popular there. of the Shadow Court. Some listed in the religious classics of pantheists and specialists are Ochalea, Philosophers of Law, Major Temples actually devoted to the specialized Shamans and Pantheists are all The Benevolent Order has few ceremonies needed to properly accepted. The faith itself is strictly temples and many monasteries. The appease all the Immortals. Most Lawful Good, though Neutral main temple is located in Chung specialist priests not devoted to Good and Lawful Neutral priests Tsu, where Chang Dangsu is Koryis choose to serve Chardastes, are common outside the cloisters - thought to have lived. Alphatia, Tarastia, Ssu-Ma and or Fighting Monks are strictly Lawful one of the Dragon Rulers. Good, though. Activities Most members of the Benevolent Diffusion Chang Shi Hetuan: Order are cloistered mystics, This is the major faith of Ochalea, Benevolent Order of devoted to martial disciplines that focused on the worship of the Jade Chang Dangsu are thought to provide major health Emperor, Koru Yi-Si, and the Total membership ...... 3.300 benefits if practiced extensively. Dragon Kings. The temple Priests of Chardastes ...... 800 Specialty priests of Chardastes and acknowledges most other Fighting Monks ...... 2.000 Shamans also act as itinerant healers. Immortals popular in Ochalea, and X Shamans ...... 500 each temple has one or more priests Classes and Alignments specialized in the rituals of several A mystic order devoted to Specialty Priests of Chang Immortals. Most priests, though, research on the human body and Dangsu (Chardastes), Fighting follow one of two other paths - nature, the Benevolent Order of Monks and Shamans are all either the scholastic worship of Chang Dangsu is well liked in accepted. Most members are Koryis or the martial discipline of Ochalea, as its priests are competent Neutral Good, as befits a sect of the Fighting Monks, who specialize healers and supporters of the healers, but non-monastic members in disarming and disabling their common people. This faith is not can also be Lawful Good or Chaotic opponents without using weapons that different in outlook and Good. - preferring always to negotiate philosophy from the Jade Temple rather than fight, and when forced or other Ochalean religions, but it to fight to obtain surrender rather stresses more personal than killing.

15 Baxian Shendao: Time or the inventor of writing are the civilized, urban nature of the Mystic Way of the also present. Ochalean culture have limited the Eight Immortals growth of this faith. It is still Total Membership ...... 4.500 Major Temples recognizably druidic, and its leader Specialist Priests ...... 900 The center of this order is found is a druid belonging to the Davanian Fighting Monks ...... 2.100 in a group of monasteries clinging Circle of Djaea. Pantheists ...... 800 to the cliffs of the Five Peaks Shamans ...... 400 (Wushan) overlooking the Strait of Core Immortals Philosophers of Neutrality ...300 Furmenglaive. Other monasteries This faith holds the Eight are scattered in the northern Immortals and the Four Dragon The Eight Immortals are a provinces. Kings as emblems of balance in all powerful symbol of balance in all things. The Earth (Djaea) and things. They have been chosen as Activities Heaven (Odin) are another major models by groups of mystics and These mystics often conduct a focus of the cult. priests who believe that Immortality cloistered life, though some may act is within the reach of the man (or as advisors or even alchemists or Diffusion lupin) who cultivates all aspects of scientists for noble houses - much This small druidic circle includes his character. By studying “inner like wizards in other lands - or be also many shamans that focus on magic” (a form of mystical/ wanderers or hermits. Eight nature or animal spirits as well as religious discipline linked closely to Immortals monasteries tend to be ancestor spirit worship. Its members the martial arts of Baxianquan), the smaller than those of other faiths, are spread over the wide areas of mystic can reach Immortality. This sometimes housing only an hermit wilderness of Ochalea, from the “inner magic” is seen as opposed and his apprentices. northern and central forests to the to the outer (or lesser) magic of the southern jungle, rocky badlands and Alphatians, which is on the other Classes and Alignments plains. hand considered a false path leading Shamans, Specialty Priests of any to a stifling of inner growth. of the Eight Immortals, Major Temples Philosophers of Neutrality and This cult has no temples at all. Its Core Immortals Pantheists are all accepted. The faith members meet twice a year, once in The Eight Immortals are Valerias, itself is strongly oriented towards a sacred grove the Forest of the Ixion, Zirchev, Khoronus, Tiresias, the True Neutral alignment, but all Ancients (Gu Shulin) where the Ssu-Ma, Faunus and Protius. They priests except Fighting Monks can ascension of the Eight Immortals represents the various states of also be of any non-extreme is celebrated, once on the Dragon being: feminine and masculine alignment. Mountains (Lung Shan), where the (Valerias and Ixion), youth and old Lung Wang are worshipped. GanquianX Huan: age (Tiresias and Khoronous), na- ture and civilization (Zirchev and Circle of Heaven and Activities Ssu-Ma), virtue and vice (Protius Earth Members of this cult are mostly and Faunus). Total membership ...... 550 hermits. Some trade herbal Druids...... 350 remedies and minor potions with Diffusion Shamans ...... 200 the rural communities. This “modern” faith is popular throughout northern Ochalea, less The teachings of the Davanian Classes and Alignments so in the southern reaches. Druids have been adapted to Druids and Shamans are the only Members include priests of the Ochalean culture back in the early type of priests in this cult. They can individual members of the Eight days of the Empire of Thyatis. have any alignment acceptable for Immortals, as well as pantheists and However, the limited contacts Mystaran Druids. ancestor worshippers. Some between Davania and Ochalea, and scholars devoted to the Prefect of

16 Jianghu Shenren: Activities humans can be found here, each Independent/ Many independent priests are with their own patron Immortals Wandering Priests either local leaders (village shamans and philosophies. Total membership ...... 6.700 or chiefs, family leaders, etc.) or Shamans ...... 5.000 wandering healers, herbalists and Lupin Pantheon: Warmasters of Philosophers of Law ...... 500 exorcists. Most also practice a family the Five directions Philosophers of Neutrality ...700 trade or run a businness (which may The Lupins of Ochalea are almost Philosophers of Chaos ...... 300 be peddler, calligrapher, herbalist or completely integrated in the human Priests of Koryis ...... 100 healer, in the case of wandering society, sharing the same language, Other Specialists ...... 200 priests). writing system, culture and mannerisms of the Ochaleans. They Many priests in Ochalea are not Classes and Alignments do keep a set of traditional deities, attached to any church or cult. They Shaman are most common as though, which are mostly are often shamans that follow a independent priests, but any worshipped through independent syncretic religion combining Specialist or Philosopher priest can Shamans, and sometimes added to ancestor worship and tenets of the be an independent or wanderer. the human religions or philosophies. Jade Temple, the Eight Immortals, Since these priests are independent, Chief among the traditional Lupin and other major religions. Others they are not constrained except by patrons is the Eight Tails Fox are individual followers of less their individual Immortal patron or (Korotiku), a sometimes known Immortals, or wandering philosophy. mischievous deity that is considered philosophers, masters of the “inner the master of the central direction, magic” of Ochalean tradition. Non-human Faiths in of harmony and balance in all Ochalea things, and all things that are Core Immortals While there are few, if any, demi- compound or mixed, including the Most independent priests worship humans and goblinoids in Ochalea, Mongrel Lupins. The other four the Immortals popular in Ochalea, this large island is home to a sizable Immortals are masters of the other though few do so in an exclusive Lupin population, and a smaller but four directions and of the four way; Koryis, Chardastes, the fiercely independent Rakasta one. seasons, as well as patrons of the Dragon Rulers and Ssu-Ma are Moreover, other intelligent non- four native Lupin breeds. especially popular.

Diffusion Table 6: The Lupin Pantheon in Ochalea Few of these priests are found in Oechalean Name Csommon Nam Title the larger towns: Shamans, the most common type of independent Master of Winter, North, SXhi Jielang Saimpt Loup and Fortitude, patron of the priests, prefer to keep to the wilderness or to rural regions. Many Chow-Chow of these independent priests are Master of Autumn, West, also village priests. Some few (10%) Shi Tiangou Saimpt Malinois and Intuition, patron of the are foreign priests hoping to convert Ochalean Houndlings the locals, or wandering prophets Master of Spring, East, and and other, less common types. Shi Su-Ma Ssu-Ma Reason, Patron of the Ochalean Crested Major Temples Master of Summer, South, There are no major independent Shi Doushang Thor and Strength, Patron of the temples - most independent priests Shar-Pei are either wanderers, or else they The Eight Tails Fox, Master worship privately in their family or of Center, Harmony and Bawei Huli Korotiku village shrine. Balance, Patron of Mongrels

17 Shi Jielang is represented as a attributed all kinds of magical the beautiful maiden (Bastet). Ka is brawny, dark-furred, Chow-Chow, powers in Lupin legends. worshipped as the Dragon dressed in leather lamellar armor Shi Doushang is usually portrayed Ancestor, with the role of the world lacquered in black and gray and as a well-muscled Shar-Pei warrior creator. armed with a large double-bladed with heavily wrinkled face - to indi- axe. This axe is known as the Ogre- cate his young age - wearing a sky- Ogre Magi Pantheon Slayer Wolf’s Fang. Lupin tales blue metal lamellar armor and This magically powerful Ogre maintain that Shi Jielang worked at brandishing an ornated polearm subspecies is the only type of its blade for ten years, and built the (guan dao), called the Thunder and goblinoid commonly found in handle from the trunk of the Lightning Blade. Shar-Pei legends Ochalea. The reclusive Ogre Magi Grandfather Tree Devil, which he say that when a lighting hits a can develop into powerful Shamans, had slain to free the Forest of Li battlefield, Shi Doushang is inciting mostly calling on ancestor spirits, from its evil influence. The axe is the warriors by whirling his and sometimes on animal or evil thought to be able to slay Ogre- polearm. This weapon is also spirits as well. Magi with a single strike, and to bre- thought to have the power to They do also worship Immortals, ak any chain, lock or gate, no matter destroy all undead - a memory of especially Jammudaru - who is well how strong, with a single blow. battles fought by the ancestors of pleased by the focus on revenge the Shi Tiangou, the Celestial the Shar-Pei against the Taymora Ogre Magi can develop - and Guardian, is represented as an Vampire kings. Moreover, when Shi Kaarash, who is worshipped as the uncommonly tall Ochalean Doushang rotates the Thunder and god of battle. Iliric is also part of Houndling, wearing plain silk Lightning Blade, he can stop all their pantheon as the god of magic. clothes and armed with a composite incoming attacks - physical or short bow and a quiver of arrows. magical. Faiths of the Shapechangers The quivers contains the Supreme There are many shapechangers, Revealing Arrows, mystical arrows The Pardasta Ancestors including lycanthropes, in Ochalea. built with Phoenix feathers and jade The Rakasta of Ochalea live in the Most shapechangers tend to arrowheads. The Supreme central rocky lands, aloof from worship ancestor spirits or animal Revealing Arrows are said to human and Lupin civilization. They spirits of the same phenotype, but unerringly strike the nearest belong to the Pardasta breed. a few Immortals are also Lycanthrope, if one is in the range These feline humanoids follow an worshipped. of Tianguo’s bow. Moreover, if ancestor cult, including several of Werefoxes (especially the non-evil Tianguo uses one of these arrows their Immortal patrons. Ka, Bastet ones) worship Korotiku as the Eight to strike an enemy, he can always and Ninfangle are worshipped along Tails Fox, while wererats have use it to track him down, as the to the Exalted servant of Ka, imported the cult of Mrikitat (Mi arrow will point in the enemy’s Kumrah, who was with Bastet the Laoshu). Weretigers often worship direction when ordered to do so. firstX of the Rakasta. the Rakasta pantheon. Shi Su-Ma is portrayed as an These mythical ancestors Evil shapechangers revere Ochalean Crested courtier of noble represent specific roles or activities Immortals of the Shadow Court, or descent and bearing, holding a scroll of the Pardasta society, including Orcus (Ou Rong). in one hand and a brush in the other the adventurous hunter (Ninfangle), Aranea worship Arachne Prime, - hints to the magical nature of the the lazy elder male (Kumrah), and Iliric or (less commonly) Korotiku. Ochalean Crested. The scroll is enscribed with the first characters Table 7: Rakasta Pantheon in Ochalea of the Summer King’s Classic - Oechalean Name Csommon Nam Title considered the oldest Ochalean text. The brush is the Dragon and Kong Long Ka The Dragon Ancestor Phoenix Brush - built with an Bao Tian-niang Bastet The Heavenly Maiden hollowed dragon fang holding the Fu Kun-lan Kumrah The Sleepy Father ashes of a Phoenix, and topped with Ning Feng-Li Ninfangle The Bold Adventurer a tuft of Su-Ma’s own hair, and is

18 Guilds and The rest of this section describes oppose any request for the Secret the most powerful guilds, those establishment of new guilds, as well controlled by the members of the as any modification to the Societies Biaoshi Hui. traditional route allocation. Its Ochalean are known for their love operatives are only moderately of order. This propension is also Fortune and Benevolence Escort skilled, however. The Golden Sun exemplified by the high number of Guild prides itself on its traditionally good organizations, associations, guilds Based in Cao, Fortune and relations with the monks of the and secret societies that hold Benevolence covers the route Mystic Way of the Eight Immortals. together the Ochalean society. between Wongzhao Tsushao and Golden Sun biaoshi are always In general, mercantile Chungkiang Li, making it one of the available to escort the high ranking organizations - trade guilds and the richest guilds. Fortune and monks and priests. like - are known as gonghui (guilds), Benevolence biaoshi work with while political, secret, illegal or both land and river-based caravans. Jade Hawk Escort Guild underground societies are known as This is the second most powerful (Shun/Daisun) This aggressive dang (factions). This section escort guild in Ochalea. guild is based in Shun, but has describes the most important guilds expanded to Daisun, and is now and factions in Ochalea. Bright Future Caravan Service bent on taking control of the small Bright Future shares a lesser, but traffic that goes on in Chi as well, Biaoshi Hui: Escort still very important, part of the the using its master’s position in the Master Council major Cao-Kiang trade route. It Biaoshi council to obtain better and mostly escorts land caravans. This better route assignments every year, Escort guilds are firms that firm is based in Wongzhao Tsushao. and hamper the work of the smaller provide caravan guards to the competitors. Jade Hawk escorts are merchants of Ochalea. They are Upper Cao Escort Guild more likely than most to solve any very common, and highly This guild has a monopoly over encounter with combat. organized, in the most regions. The the lesser trade routes in Cao. Its main exceptions are Bohan, where members protect transports from Green Lupin Trade Services most trade is conducted by sea, and the mining villages to the provincial The major Lupin-owned Biaoshi the presence of large garrisons capitol. It is a less profitable firm, Green Lupin mostly escorts makes travel safe even inland, and businness than the main route to silk traders from Yuen to Beitung, the Celestial Territories, where there Kiang, but the Upper Cao still as well as sharing control of the is very little trade, and none on the manages to be the third strongest major route between Ta’ang and scale that would allow the formation guild of the province, and the sixth Sung with minor firms. This firm of such organizations. overall. This outstanding perfor- has been controlled by a family of Escort guilds aggressively police manceX is explained by the highly Ochalean Houndlings since its their field, making it impossible for skilled personnel employed by the foundation, and it is known for its independent guards to operate Upper Cao master, which allow the skill in dealing with the local within their provinces. The Biaoshi guild to function with much smaller authorities. The Green Lupin is council, an organization of the most teams than most competitors. based in Wongzhao Tsu Yi. important masters, controls the allocation of trade routes and the Golden Sun Trade Guild Harmonious Temperance authorization of new guilds. The Based in Wutang Dongha, the Escort Guild council meets in Chungkiang Li, Golden Sun controls only a single The most powerful guild in once at the beginning of spring and trade route, from its hometown to Ochalea, Harmonious Temperance once in mid-autumn. Beitung, yet the fact that most gold has the advantage of a central Each guild has a single base of trade occurs on this route makes it position, controlling the routes operation, but maintains outposts the third richest guild in Ochalea. between Kiang, Chung, and Yuen. at regular intervals on their major A very conservative guild, the Harmonious Temperance biaoshi routes. Golden Sun is known to routinely are known for their mild character

19 and their ability to negotiate out of the Huo Pai. Since the sixth century Yingshu Dang: The any trouble without recurring to AC, the Huo Pai are only present in Shadow Hand combat. This guild is based in significant numbers in the Celestial The Yingshu is the Ochalean Chungkiang Li. Territories, though cells survive in branch of the Shadow Hand, the Beitung as well as in the provinces Thyatian guild of thieves and Demon Cults of Cao, Chun and Kiang. assassins. It is mostly active in Demon cults are quite a mixed Bohan and in the Celestial Domain, bunch - the name generally refers Bao Pai: School of Revenge though cells are also present in the to militant sects of the Order of the Only the evilest demon cultist capitols of Yuen, Shun and Kiang. Shadow Court, but these groups can compose the Bao Pai - the Revenge This is one of the few societies, be very different, depending on of the Dreamwalker, Jiang Da-Ru. criminal or not, to allow foreign their patron Immortal, philosophy, This sect acts mostly as an assassins’ members. and history. This section outlines guild, offering its services to anyone some of the most important cults, who has a wrong (real or perceived) Shar-Pei but in the chaotic underworld of the to avenge. Mercenaries Bao Pai members are expert Shadow Court, these organizations The Shar-Pei Lupins are well are not as stable as the more martial artists, and are highly skilled in stealth as well. known in Ochalea, and even in legitimate ones, and new groups Thyatis, for the quality of their emerge frequently, just as old martial training. They provide groups are destroyed or implode Gui Pai: School of the Ghost This sect developed in the towns several units of heavy infantry to due to internal dissention. the Ochalean and imperial armies, Demon cults take the name pai, of Ochalea as the frequency of undead occurence grew. The lack of but many veterans also work in that is school of thought, to show mercenary units, usually clan-based. their devotion to specific action on the part of the established priesthoods led the poorest locals The four largest clans are the philosophies. The informal leaders Zhang, Lang, Gou, and Kuang. take the title of Elder (laoda). to form self-defense groups, who later developed into crime gangs The Zhang clan is probably the largest, and operates mostly within Huo Pai: School of Fire managing protection rackets. The Gui Pai is accounted as a sect of the province of Ta’ang, though it is Possibly the oldest of the Demon sometimes employed in Yuen or Cults, the Huo Pai focuses on the the Shadow Order, but it has only few priests in its ranks, which are Sung. Zhang captains employ worship of Hua Fan-Liang, though Houndling scouts and sometimes the Fiery General, Rong Han, is also instead filled mostly by thieves and warriors. even Crested wizards to support respected by this school of thought. their units. Huo Pai members believe in the A smaller but successful clan, the supremacy of fire over the other Yinghe Pai: School of the ShadowX Lotus Gou operates in the Celestial elements, and originated from the Domains and the neighbouring ancient Cypri who had brought, The main sect of followers of the shadow empress, Nü Yue-Wang, the provinces. It specializes in hidden, the teachings of the containing large undead threats, Followers of Fire from Old Yinghe Pai is among the less overtly evil of the Demon Cults. Its such as the dead warriors of Wang. Alphatia. The Followers of Fire hid To this end, it includes an higher among the non-magical Cypri, and members do, however, hold an unhealthy fascination with undeath, than usual number of shamans and moved with them to Ochalea. priests. The Huo Pai took part in the which they consider as one of the possible evolutions of life. Most The Lang is especially warlike, and Ochalean uprising against the is known to be devoted to Shi Alphatians, and was a legal faction elders of the Yinghe Pai are actually sentient undead - ghosts and the Jielang almost as much as to Shi for the first three centuries Doushang. This clan operates thereafter. A string of especially occasiona nosferatu - which puts them at odds with the Gui Pai. prevalently in the central regions, agressive Elders in the fourth Cao, Chung, and Kiang. It works century AC led to the outlawing of with Chow-Chow auxiliaries (scouts

20 and archers), and is though to in- Feihau Dang: Society establishment of an Ochalean clude a Wolvenfolk bloodline of of the Blue Flower Senate mirroring the Thyatian one. powerful necromancers. A political faction associated with The society originated from the The Kuang clan is reputed to pro- the Thyatian Gens Aemilia, the league of Kiang aristocrats who duce the fiercest warriors. It roams Society of the Blue Flower is based tried to resist the annexation to the between Chi, Daisun and Shun, in Chungkiang Li, and is mostly Wang kingdom. Later, the Blue offering its services to the highest composed of aristocrats from the Flower supported the Wai dynasty. bidder. Chi authorities suspect that Kiang and Yuen provinces. Its goals Since the beginning of the Teng rogue Kuang units are also are mostly to support friendly dynasty, the society has lost some responsible for some acts of senatorial candidates, and push for of its power. It still manages to keep banditry on the Chi-Bohan border. a greater role of the aristocracy in enough control of the political life Kuang maintains a blood feud with the political life. One of the of Kiang to elect one of its leaders the Ogre Magi Kingfisher clan. recurring requests is the as senator for the Kiang, Wang and Shou area. X

21 Mandarins & to many priests, he worships all of cold water only. He is dressed in Monks the Eight Immortals equally, since formal priestly robes at all times. he believes that the Immortals each Perhaps not surprisingly, he is not This section details a number of emphasize a particular trait or at all popular with the society of important NPCs - the movers and virtue, and only a good balance of Thyatis city - not that the fact shakers of the Ochalean society. all can lead to perfection. He is one concerns him: he only accepted to of the few Ochalean Senators to be be elected to the Senate so that he Archduke Teng Lin-Dieu popular in Thyatis as well as in his could travel to Thyatis city and Ochalean Human Pacifist Pr18 homeland. consult the library there. However, (Koryis), LG. being extremely respectful of his Archduke of Ochalea, High Priest Senator Quintus Chen Lao-Wai role, he is present in the Senate for of the Jade Temple. Ochalean/Thyatian Human T5, every debate or vote, which actually TN. prevents him from spending as Abbot Teng Lee-Dai A middle-aged merchant of much time as he would like in the Ochalean Human Fighting Monk mixed Ochalean and Thyatian libraries. Pr14, LG. descent, Chen Lao-Wai (Quintus An abbot of the Jade Temple, Chen to the Thyatians) has bought Senator Wen Zi-You Teng Lee-Dai is a distant relative of his way into the Senatorial seat of Ochalean Human, 0-level, NG. the Archduke. This 50 years-old the South-Western region, by A weak candidate for the position scholar is a master of defensive financing the building of the new of Senator of the South-Eastern martial arts, as well as an expert in Cathedral of Wumingdou - and region, Wen Zi-You was, to his own Ochalean history. He currently distributing money to many of his surprise, elected thanks to a represents the Teng family in the supporters, in pure Thyatian style. combination of low number of Imperial Senate, a duty that keeps A member of the Gens Aurelia, voters and the Shadow Court him in Thyatis city most of the time. Quintus supports the Church of managing to converge all its voting Thyatis in its efforts to control the power on him - as well as High Priest Ling Tzu-Chen government. He is not a fanatic, eliminating several other candidates. Ochalean Human Noble Pr11 though - he just sees the church as A member of the Free Thinkers, (Koryis), LG. his ticket toward a permanent Wen has no contact whatsoever High Priest of Koryis in the Jade Senatorial seat, and perhaps even with the Demon Cults, but some Temple of Ochalea, Senator for the higher. elders consider him weak enough to Ochalean government. be manipulated through threats, Senator Yang Lao-Ye blackmail or magic. Prior to his Senator Chong Li-Yi Ochalean Human Pr8 (Philosopher election, Wen worked as a medium- Ochalean Human Noble F7, LN. of Law), LN. ranked bureaucrat in the provincial Senator of the Central region, RecentlyX elected Senator of the bureaucracy of Daisun. His prime member of the Gens Aemilia, North-Eastern region, this member interest in the Senate is currently to member of the Society of the Blue of the Philosophers faction is a obtain some funding for his home Flower. somewhat boring scholar and province. researcher in natural and human law. Senator Song Yun-Wu His considerable magical powers Yuen Chong-Wu Ochalean Human, Pr5 (Pantheist), derive entirely from his faith in the Ochalean Crested Lupin Shaman NG. power of Order, not from worship Pr6, TN. An elderly priest of the Eight of any Immortal. Yang Lao-Ye is a Governor of Yuen is an Ochalean Immortals, Song Yun-Wu has been member of the Mystic Way of Crested Lupin of ancient nobility: Senator of the North-Western Order. He keeps his head the Yuen when among the first region for five times in a row. A very completely shaven, and strictly Lupin families to reach Ochalea, popular man, he is a member of the respects a number of taboos, and can lay claim to a strong Foo Philosophers faction, preaching including not eating meat, not Dog bloodline. They have managed moderation in all things. Contrary drinking alcohol, and bathing in to withstand two millennia of wars,

22 more that it can chew.

Shan Hou-Yan Fire Genasi W7/F8, CN. An Elder of the Huo Pai demon cult, Shan Hou-Yan descends from an ancient Cypri bloodline, which had a more recent brush with outer planar entities, resulting in the status of Fire Spirit Folk of its modern descendents. Hou-Yan is extremely proud of his Fire Spirit blood, and is a firm believer in Fire supremacy. Even though he is an elder member of the sect, he still likes to raid the villages of the Celestial Territories to “prove the superiority of Fire” - changing governments, and the Zhang Dafeng that is, to vent his anger at being influx of human population in Shar-Pei Lupin Myrmidon F12, LN. confined into the wild Territories on Yuen, and are still passing the A senior member of the Zhang some helpless villager. However, position of governor of Yuen from clan, Dafeng is the paragon Shar- Hou-Yan is not just a bully - he is a father to son. Chong-Wu is a Pei warlord - honorable, fearless and dangerous warrior, mixing unarmed politician, and also a moderately a master of the guan dao. A Shar- fighting, magic, and mastery of the powerful Shaman - his primary Pei Lupin old enough to have lost twin daggers and three-section staff. spirit patron is his grandfather, Jian- most of his facial wrinkles, Dafeng Wu, who helps him with his wide his known for his tactical cunning, Wu Wei-Lin administrative experience. Chong- as well as for his forceful attacks that Chow-Chow R5, LG. Wu can also count on several close have earned him the nickname of A biaoshi in the lesser Wu Family relatives who live in his household, Hurricane of Yuen. Knowing well Escort Firm from Daisun, Wu Wei- as well as on his aunt Xiaozhang, a that an old warrior cannot last long, Lin is struggling to keep the family powerful enchantress who resides Dafeng is scouring the clan for businness viable in face of the in the Forest of the Ancients. talented Lupin tacticians - he feels underhanded businness tactics of he might need to be replaced soon. the Jade Hawk, the major escort Liu Huang guild of south-western Ochalea. Ochalean Human Pr4 (Masauwu), Kuang San-Dao The Jade Hawk leaders, in fact, have NE. Shar-PeiX Lupin Myrmidon F8, CN. recently recurred to hiring an Ogre This bureaucrat of the Chung San-Dao is a Shar-Pei warrior of Mage of the Kingfisher clan to provincial administration is secretly Kuang clan. An impoverished hinder the Wu businness. An expert a follower of the Shadow Court. He mercenary, San-Dao has turned to outdoorsman, Wei-Lin personally serves the Demon Cults in Chung banditry with his entire warband. guides most expeditions of his by passing them key information Now, he waylays travelers from house. He is well known in Daisun from the police records. Liu joined Bohan from his hideout in the for his sense of direction, which the Shadow Court has a mean to put woods. Not known for his wisdom, allows him to set the shortest (and his career back in motion, after he Kuang San-Dao has probably made safest) path in the featureless plains was assigned to the Chung provin- a big mistake - while the Chi of Chi. ce - which he considers a demotion, governor might be ineffective, the as the Chung province is considered governor of Bohan is energic and an irrelevant backwater by most supported by a strong military, and Beitungese. the Kuang clan may well have bit

23 Ochalean Table 8: Monsters in Ochalea Bestiary Cereature Leocal nam Cereatur Local nam Aranea Lamara Ochalea is generally considered a land free of monsters - at least when Cyclops Living Statue, Jade Jinjong compared to the Known World. Bargda Naga Shejing This is mostly due to two facts: first, Brownie Zaoshen Guardian Weishejing there are few goblinoids in Ochalea; Cat, Great Spirit Xieshejing second, many monsters in Ochalea Tiger Water Jiangshejing are adept at disguising their Panther Ogre Magi Wang Liang presence, by means of Dragon Long Kingfisher clan Feicuizu shapechanging, charming magics, Gold Jin Long Frog clan Qingwazu invisibility or simple stealth. Table 8 shows a list of the most Jade Yu Long Ox clan Huangniuzu common monsters in Ochalea. Sea Hai Long Phoenix Fenghuang Undead Si Long Purple Worm Ziqu Animals Drake Roc Peng There are many dangerous Mandrake Skeleton predators in Ochalea, from the Elemental Drake Spirit Shen natural to the supernatural ones. Fish, Giant Animal, Lesser Shoushen Tigers are common in the southern Giant Catfish Animal, Greater jungles, as are panthers. Gargantua Carp Nature Ziranshen Snakes of the common types are Fu Dog/Lion Evil Eshen present, as are rare varieties such as Gargoyle Undead Sishen the Hypnosnake. Ghoul Sprite Weixian Finally, giant animals such as the Gray Roc and the Purple Worm can be Werefox Hulijing found in the more remote areas. Philosopher Guardian Bingmajong Wererat Laoshujing Constructs Warrior Haunt, Ghost Weretiger Laohujing Magically animated monsters are Hsiao Xiao Wight Jiangshi sometimes created to protect temples, ancient treasures or tombs. Hypnosnake Zombie KXiller Tree

24 Guardian Warriors and their horses dragon. Other kingdoms are found the philosophies of Law and Chaos are often created to protect the in the seas around Ochalea. with their guests. tombs of the Ochalean rulers, Ochalean dragons sometimes Archdukes and provincial choose to disguise themselves as Naga governors. Jade Statues were created humans to observe or manipulate These human-headed giant snakes before the rise of the Empire of the human society for their are sometimes found in the rocky Thyatis and during the purposes. badlands (Guardian and Spirit independence war to protect Naga) or in the waters of the temples from the Alphatian wizards Faeries Chungkiang (Water Nage). - to this end, these constructs were Faeries generally dislike Guardian Naga are ancient servants designed to be able to survive Immortals, yet some of them are of Kong Long (Ka), often massive magical attacks. Finally, deeply interested in the concept of honorbound to protect specific sites Gargoyles are sometimes found in religion. So, while few faeries - or preserve ancient histories, while subterranean tombs or larger mostly Sprites - live in Ochalea, Water Naga are related to the river fortifications - they are never built some envoys of the Faerie courts spirits and are generally neutral on palaces, houses or temples, since can be found hidden among the city towards outsiders. Spirit Naga are these are mostly built using wood folk (Mandrakes) or posing as na- corrupt Naga that serve evil spirits rather than stone. ture spirits (Elemental Drakes). as guardians or assassins. Demons Brownies are probably the only Ochaleans lump several types of faeries well liked by the Ochalean, Shapechangers creatures related with evil, Entropic who consider them as kitchen gods The Ochalean belief holds that cults under the “demon” label. (Zaoshen). Shapechangers (or “Spirit Folk”) are Some of these demons, like the Friendly to the faeries, but not the result of interbreeding between One-eyed demon (Cyclops) and the faeries themselves, the Hsiao are animal spirits and mortals. They in- Ox-headed demon (Bargda) are just devoted to the way of Law. Most clude in this broad class a variety evil or cursed creatures that serve Hsiao in Ochalea live in nests built of creatures, from Aranea (spider the Demon Cults as mercenaries or on the forested mountains, near the folk) to Lamara (snake folk) to bound by powerful spells. monasteries of the Lawful faiths. As lycanthropes (fox folk, tiger folk and Others, like the Tree demon (Kil- clerical scholars, the Hsiao are goblin rats - only werefoxes, ler Tree) are actually unrelated with extremely interested in the weretigers and wererats are present the Demon Cults, and just happen Ochalean philosophical studies, and in Ochalea). to share appearances with some evil are often sought by abbots and The Wang Liang (Ogre Magi) are spirits. other high-ranking priests for also part of this group. There are Finally, evil spirits are corrupted advice. The Hsiao worship Lafwul three Wang Liang clans, each nature or animal spirits that have GoodX and Lawful Neutral composed of many small families absorbed magical energies - see Immortals, especially those focusing (3-11 adults plus 1-3 children), the Section 8.8. on Law itself as their main area of Kingfisher clan, the Frog clan and interest, including Koryis, Tarastia the Ox clan. Members of the Dragons and Ka. Kingfisher clan are light-blue Ochaleans consider Dragons as a The Fu Dogs and Lions, envoys skinned, with dark green hair; Frog major symbol of power. While real of the Lupin Immortals, often clan Ogres are light-green skinned, dragons are uncommon at best, they sojourn at the faerie court of with dark blue hair, while those of are a common theme in Ochalean Ochalea - while, just like other the Ox clan are yellow-haired and art and religion. faeries - the Ochalean Sprites find light-brown skinned. Dragons of the Sea, Gold and Immortals somewhat distasteful Most Shapechangers are crafty Jade subspecies are the most and are generally alien to the enought to merge with ease into the common. There is a powerful concept of divine magic and Ochalean society, lending to the draconic kingdom in the Dragon worship, they are as curious as the image of Ochalea as a monster-free Mountains, ruled by an aged Gold Dreamlands faeries about them, and land. take every opportunity to discuss

25 Spirits in their ponderings of evil the Spirit World and in the Prime Nature spirits and animal spirits philosophical concepts, become Material. These entities are powerful find it easy to materialize in Ochalea Gray Philosophers. A legend says enough to be fully independent, and more than in other areas of Mystara. that once Lan Yi-Xiong assaulted a can be a major threat for Ochalean Also, the presence of large numbers fortress of the Demon Cultists: so cities. However, they also tend to of Shamans means that spirits often absorbed in their thoughts were the attract more attention from the find their way to Ochalea through cult elders, that they were oblivious priesthood than other undead, so summonings. Indeed, most to the battle outside the they are remarkably rare. Shamans receive their spells from underground council hall. In the Restless dead animated by lower, powerful spirits, and only the most end, Lan Yi-Xiong brought a animalistic souls, the Hopping powerful deal with the Spirit Lords mountain down to crush the Corpses (Wights) are dangerous, (i.e., the Immortals). cultists, burying the entire council because they try to absorb the qi Evil and undead spirits are all - the elders did not even notice (life force) of the mortals, pushed unfortunately present as well, their own deaths, and might be still by incredible hunger. They are not though they use their innate abilities found seated on their council dais very intelligent, since they lack the to pass undetected. Many Demon in front of tea cups reduced to dust higher soul. Cults are lead by or allied with by the violence of the impact. Skeletons and zombies are the less powerful evil spirits. Undead spirits Ghosts, remains of people whose powerful undead, mere animated are sometimes summoned by evil life ended tragically, are perhaps the corpses existing thanks to Demon Cult priests and shamans. mostX dangerous of the undead - necromantic magic wielded by evil they can appear seductive, or lower spirits, priests or wizards, or created Undead the guard of their opponents by by other undead. They are rarely lamenting their tragedies, only to kill found on their own, so the Perhaps most surprisingly in a them when they are defenseless. land known for its large priesthood, adventurer who meets a group of Not all ghosts are evil, though - these monsters should consider this Ochalea is haunted by a large some just look for a release from number of undead monsters. a warning that some greater evil is their suffering, in the form of a afoot. However, most priests in Ochalea righting of whatever wrong brought live a cloistered life, and remain Ghouls are among the most them to their undead state. Some common undead in Ochalea, and aloof from the problems of the ghosts can end up serving other, more remote areas of the sparsely can be found in graveyards as well more powerful entities. as in the sewers of Beitung. populated country. Undead spirits can exist both in Ancient Demon Cult elders, lost

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